Social Security

Social Security Benefits

In the state of Illinois, Social Security is automatically notified of an individual’s death electronically when the death certificate has been registered. Some of the deceased's family members may be able to receive Social Security benefits if the deceased person worked long enough under Social Security to qualify for benefits. You should get in touch with Social Security as soon as you can to make sure the family receives all of the benefits to which it may be entitled. Please read the following information carefully to learn what benefits may be available.

What are Social Security Death Benefits?

Social Security Death Benefits are paid to widows, widowers, and dependents of a deceased eligible worker. This benefit, meant to assist with a family’s financial burden of losing the lost loved one’s income, is particularly important for young families with children.

Monthly benefit amounts are based on the earnings of the person who died. The more they paid into Social Security, the higher your benefits would be. This amount is a percentage of the deceased’s basic Social Security benefit.


A one-time payment of $255 can be paid to the surviving spouse if he or she was living with the deceased; or, if living apart, was receiving certain Social Security benefits on the deceased's record. If there is no surviving spouse, the payment is made to a child who is eligible for benefits on the deceased's record in the month of death.

Certain family members may be eligible to receive monthly benefits, including:

• A widow or widower age 60 or older (age 50 or older if disabled);
  
• A surviving spouse at any age who is caring for the deceased's child under age 16 or disabled;
  
• An unmarried child of the deceased who is younger than age 18 (or age 18 or 19 if he or she is a full-time student in an elementary or secondary school); or age 18 or older with a disability that began before age 22;
  
• Parents, age 62 or older, who were dependent on the deceased for at least half of their support; and
  
• A surviving divorced spouse, under certain circumstances.
  

The Social Security website is a valuable resource for information about all of Social Security's programs. However, death benefits cannot be applied for online.

What Steps Should Survivor’s Take?

In most cases, the funeral home will report the person’s death, however, if not, a surviving family member should notify the Social Security Administration as soon as possible following the date of death. Deaths cannot be reported online, and benefits can not be applied for online.

How Do I Contact the Social Security Administration?

In addition to using the Social Security website, you can call them toll-free at 1-800-772-1213. Staff can answer specific questions Monday through Friday. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call the TTY number at 1-800-772-1213.

Additional information is available online at ssa.gov/benefits/survivors.

You may also Click here for A Social Security Survivor Benefits Guide